Police deployed in Akko for holiday

JERUSALEM (JTA) — Hundreds of police will be deployed in the northern Israeli city of Akko for Yom Kippur a year after Arab-Jewish violence broke out in the city last Yom Kippur.

Last year’s riots began on Yom Kippur eve, when an Arab resident of Acre drove his car through a Jewish neighborhood, reportedly blasting his radio and causing a disturbance. Jewish teens attacked the man, leading to rioting between the city’s Arabs and Jews lasting several days.

At least 300 uniformed and plainclothes police officers will patrol the city in the days leading up to and on Yom Kippur, according to reports. Roadblocks will also be placed near synagogues, main streets and entrances to the city. The eastern quarter of the city, the scene of last year’s riot, will be completely sealed off on the holiday, Israeli media reported.